megalin Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Our little feather footed pekin gets balls of nasties stuck to her feet. Is there anything i can do to stop this happening? I've trimmed her feathers and washed her feet, do a poo pick once a day to keep it under control but it keeps happening. Is there anything you can rub into them to stop things sticking? maybe oil? I have woodchip in the run, has anyone tried gravel? Wondering if this might be a bit better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Hmmmm that's a tricky one. My Bantams aren't too bad, but they have lots of perches to keep off the ground if they wish.... I always have a 'malteser' toe ball problem at this time of year though, they are rotten to get off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Probably covering the run so they are on dry stuff would help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted December 29, 2010 Share Posted December 29, 2010 Mine also get these balls of mud on their feathers. You just have to check them regularly and make sure that you soak the balls off and don't get tempted to pull them off or you could break the toe nails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalin Posted December 29, 2010 Author Share Posted December 29, 2010 Hmmmmm, she's just started perching in the day so I'm hoping this will become more of a habit! The run is covered and it doesn't get muddy at all as i've covered any muddy bit's too. I think she just walks in bits of poo Oh well, she's just starting to hate me as she doesn't like her feet being touched at all! Ticklish or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reneepren Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I have one Salmon Favorelle with feathery feet. I use pine needles for deep bedding in the run and she doesn't have problems. Stays dry, easily hosed down to send poo to bottom, smells nice. Hens seem to like it. Renee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalin Posted December 31, 2010 Author Share Posted December 31, 2010 Pine needles!? Never heard of that one, sounds wonderful! May be a bit hard pushed to find enough pine needles here in London though... will check it out though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 My pekins are prone to this. During very wet weather I keep them in their covered run. The run is on concrete slabs, with horse bedding as scratch. It tends to help 'clean' dirty foot feathers so that the balls don't develop. Other than keeping them in all the time, I don't think you can stop it happening tbh. I just keep a close eye on my girls and soak any mud balls in warm water and ease them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
